Customer Reviews

Blood on the Horns: The Long Strange Ride of Michael Jordan's Chicago Bulls

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

Ever wonder how and why the internal conflict of the multi-World Champion Chicago Bulls began? Well, this book explains that, and much more. From the origin of Jerry Krause's nickname, 'Crumbs', to Dennis Rodman's shaky start in life to blossoming into one of the NBA's best rebounders, Lazenby covers every detail painstakingly. I live in Chicago, so I found this very informative, because Lazenby allows each side to speak their mind, for the Chicago press always made Jerry Krause look like the bad guy. If you think Krause WAS the bad guy, your opinion may or may not change after reading this book. Personally, it just solidified my opinion that Krause caused the breakup of the greatest dynasty in sports. My final opinion: If you were ever curious about the Bulls conflict and followed it throughout the 90s, or even if you're a casual Bulls fan, you will not be able to put this book down. Pick it up, and enjoy "The Long Strange Ride of Michael Jordan's Chicago Bulls."

I enjoyed the book very much. It gives you an inside the locker room account of everything you suspected while watching the Bulls mow through the '90s.

The author followed this book up with Mindgames...about Phil Jackson. It is obvious that much of the authors research was used in both books, this book does a better job of conveying inside information. The sources are similiar in both books (Winters, Schaefer, Kerr) but this seems to stay consistent with the title. As mentioned earlier, Mindgames, has similiar information, but you are expecting to read about Jackson, not the Bulls in general. Read this and skip Mindgames if you are Bulls fan or looking for information about Jackson.

I loved this book. It is all about the break up of the Bulls. It gives an in-depth look at the 1998 season and provides interesting interviews with all the parties involved. My thought, both the owner and the GM of the Bulls caused the break up of one of the best sports franchises in history. If you like basketball or the Bulls, BUY THIS BOOK!

Blood on the Horns gives excellent insight into the greatest NBA dynasty ever-the Chicago Bulls. This book describes how the rift between Phil Jackson and Jerry Krause developed, and how the rest of the team rallied around Jackson. Particular attention is paid to the 1997-98 season and the long drive toward a 6th NBA championship. There will never be another team like the Chicago Bulls, and this book is worth reading by all true Bulls fans.

This is one of the best books on basketball I've read. Lazenby obviously spent a lot of time working to persuade folks within the Bulls organization to talk frankly and on the record -- from the trainer on up to Michael and the management types. I think Lazenby does a good job of being fair to everyone, including Michael and the folks in the executive suites. It avoids mythologizing the subject but still gives the reader a real sense of the heart and soul -- idiosyncracies, flaws and all -- of this great team. I only wish someone had done the same for the Celtics of the 1960s!

I couldn't put this book down until I finished reading it in one day. Although some of chapters rehash interviews from early books such as "Jordan Rules" and "Sacred Hoops", like characters in a Shakespearian play, we learn more about MJ, Scottie, Krause, Jackson and a forever young 77 year old coach named Tex. The author labels Coach Winter as the "Guardian of the Bulls" and one of the prime architects who helped build the Championship Team of the 90s. The best section was Chapter 11, "Keeping the Faith". It is almost completely dedicated to Tex and was both humerous and sad realizing that a great team was about to split and change forever.I was particulary impressed by Lazenby's attempt to find the truth about MJ and his last ditch effort to find a way to heal the wounds caused by inflated egos and misplaced loyalties. Unfortunately the message from the movie the Devils' Advocate was delivered to late - "It was a nice run" while it lasted.

The anecdote on the back cover - about how the Bulls logo came to have blood on it - is just the start of an exciting - and depressing read. Exciting because author Roland Lazenby has clearly spent an awful lot of time speaking with virtually everyone on the Bulls, including trainer (now ex-trainer) Chip Schaefer, assistant coaches (current & former), the team's general manager, and team owner Jerry Reinsdorf as well as the players of course. This is as close to the Bulls as you can get without being related to someone on the team. The book is depressing because it reveals the human flaws of some of the people involved, particularly general manager Jerry Krause. Although Lazenby probably goes slightly overboard trying to let everyone have his say, Krause, in his own words and actions, comes across as petty and mean-spirited. If Michael Jordan retires, he is to blame and fans should be vocal in their protests about it. The most surprising thing - due to Jordan's competitive spark and Phil Jackson's coaching and people management - is how the Bulls kept winning with all the off-court distractions. This is a book that is both about the triumph and degradation of the human spirit as found in some of the best professional athletes in the world. A compelling book!

The author writes well. The subject is interesting. But, it's the same thing over and over. If you read 1/3 of the book, you've read it all. Any third will do. Just too much of the same stuff over and over. (Repetition is boring, isn't it.)

...a rehash of well known facts. Also, the fact that it is stuffed with text from various press conferences made me want to become a sports writer if that's how easy it is! Also, I worked for publishing companies and we used to proof read before we went to press!